Skeleton Key

Skeleton Key
The Skeleton Key as it appears in Mario Party 2 The Skeleton Key as it appears in Mario Party 3
First appearance	Mario Party 2 (1999)
Latest appearance	Tetris 99 (27th Maximus Cup, cameo) (2021) Super Mario Party Jamboree (2024, Super Mario franchise)

“Hi! I'm the Skeleton Key! Shall I use my skills to open this gate?”

—Skeleton Key, Mario Party 3

The Skeleton Key is a key in the Mario Party series. It is named after an actual kind of key used on some types of locks. The Skeleton Key can unlock special doors throughout the various boards to open secret paths or shortcuts. To use a Skeleton Key, a player must reach a door and choose to use it. The item is replaced by the Mini Mushroom in Mario Party 4, which allows partiers to access new paths via gates.

History

Mario Party 2

In Mario Party 2, the Skeleton Key has a golden bow on its head and is Luigi's favorite item. It is always for sale at Item Shops, regardless of whether or not Toad or Koopa Kid is running it. The exception to this rule are the shops in Bowser Land where Baby Bowser forces players to buy a particular item, though he can force a player to buy a Skeleton Key. The only way to discard an unwanted Skeleton Key is by using it on a door, even if the player does not wish to travel through it.

Mario Party 3

In Mario Party 3, the Skeleton Key was redesigned to have big black eyebrows instead and continues to be Luigi's favorite item. Unlike Mario Party 2, it is possible for players to "use" a Skeleton Key on their turn like a normal item, which gives them the option to throw it away.

Mario Party Superstars

In Mario Party Superstars, the Skeleton Key returns with its Mario Party 2 design.

Gallery

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  Super Mario-kun

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  Mario Party 2

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  Mario Party 2

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  Mario Party 2

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  Mario Party 3

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  Mario Party Superstars

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  Mario Party Superstars

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  Mario Party Superstars

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	アカズキーちゃん (Mario Party 2/Mario Party Superstars) Akazukīchan キーマン (Mario Party 3) Kīman[?]	Pun on「開かず」(akazu, can't open), "key", and「赤ずきんちゃん」(Akazukin-chan, Little Red Riding Hood) Key Man
Chinese (simplified)	开不开钥匙[?] Kāi bù kāi yàoshi	Can't open the key
Chinese (traditional)	開不開鑰匙[?] Kāi bù kāi yàoshi	Can't open the key
Dutch	Hoofdsleutel[?]	Means "main key" or "head key"
French	Clé Squelette[?]	Skeleton key
German	Skelett-Schlüssel[?]	Literally means "Skeleton Key"
Italian	Schelechiave Chiave (MPS)[?]	Skele-key Key
Korean	게이트 키[?] Geiteu Ki	Gate Key
Portuguese	Chave mestra[?]	Master Key
Russian	Мастер-ключ[?] Master Klyuch	Master Key
Spanish	Llave maestra Llave Esqueleto[?]	Master Key Skeleton Key